Report: Sabres, Mammoth elect arbitration with Byram, McBain

The Buffalo Sabres elected for salary arbitration with restricted free-agent defenseman Bowen Byram, reports Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

The Utah Mammoth did the same with RFA center Jack McBain, Friedman added.

Teams had until 5 p.m. ET Sunday to decide - 24 hours after the deadline for players to elect for arbitration. Eleven RFAs filed before Saturday's player deadline. Byram, McBain, and Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Cam York were the only eligible ones who didn't.

Byram and McBain can no longer sign offer sheets.

Since their teams took them to arbitration, Byram and McBain now pick the term of the award. Both could opt for two-year contracts, taking them straight to unrestricted free agency in 2027.

RFAs can still negotiate and sign contracts before their scheduled arbitration hearings, which will be held between July 20 and Aug. 4.

Byram, 24, notched a career-high 38 points in 82 games with the Sabres last season. McBain, 25, tallied 13 goals and 14 assists in 82 appearances with the Mammoth in 2024-25.